Korea's Lee Risks Wrath of Farmers With Concessions for US Deal
Lee Jongtae, 62, has raised cattle and grown rice with his family for more than 15 years in a rural part of Cheonan, just outside of the capital. Now, both parts of his business are under threat as President Lee Jae Myung's two-month-old government considers allowing the US greater access to South Korea's beef and rice markets, a politically sensitive topic that spurred widespread protests back in 2008.
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Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The dominant economic narrative has been revised: Chart of the Week
The US labor market has not been adding nearly as many jobs as initially reported. Friday's jobs report showed the US economy added 73,000 jobs while the unemployment rate moved higher to 4.2%. But the portion of the release that sent markets stumbling was "larger than normal" revisions to previous reports, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sign up for the Yahoo Finance Morning Brief By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Changes to May's and June's reports showed more than a quarter million fewer jobs were added to the economy over those months. May's job gains were revised down to 19,000 from 144,000, while June's additions were cut to just 14,000 from the 147,000 initially reported. Monthly jobs numbers are always revised in later months. But these are not standard revisions. Outside of the 2020 pandemic, May and June's downward revisions were the largest since at least 1979, according to data compiled by Yale Budget Lab's director of economics Ernie Tedeschi. The job revisions came just two days after the Federal Reserve opted to hold interest rates steady at its July meeting despite two officials dissenting and arguing the central bank should be lowering interest rates. In the subsequent press conference, Fed Chair Jerome Powell described the labor market as "solid" and pointed to a "historically low" unemployment rate as a key metric to watch when assessing the health of the jobs picture in America. Powell admitted job creation has shown slowing, but that has come with a decrease in labor supply due to less immigration, therefore keeping the broad labor market picture in balance. But market pricing and economists argue Friday's report was likely a game changer for the overall economic narrative and how the Fed will move forward. Following Friday's jobs report, the probability of a September interest rate cut from the Fed surged to 83%, up from just 38% the day prior, per the CME FedWatch Tool. "Surely, Chair Powell wishes he had these numbers 48 hours ago," Jefferies chief US economist Thomas Simons wrote in a note to clients. "A much more downbeat view on the health of the labor market would have made a more dovish message easier to deliver with confidence." Powell has argued the unemployment rate is the most important metric in the labor market to watch right now. At 4.2%, it's still historically low, but it did move higher in July. The number of Americans filing for weekly unemployment claims has also been calm. This illuminates the fact that Friday's job revisions aren't sounding a code red alarm on the labor market. But the Fed chair also talked extensively about "downside risks" to the labor market during his recent press conference. Friday's revisions certainly feed those fears. "The picture of labor market weakening has become much clearer now," BlackRock chief investment officer of global fixed income Rick Rieder wrote in a note following Friday's jobs report. "If the slack in the labor force builds at all, or we continue to see a below 100,000 jobs hiring rate persistently, we would expect the Fed to start moving rates lower, and a 50-basis point cut in September might be possible depending on how the data evolves." Josh Schafer is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X @_joshschafer. Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
27 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Red Moon International Announces Shift from Freelancers to Integrated Agency Model
Entrepreneurs are increasingly moving away from freelancers and opting for integrated agencies that offer holistic strategies, creative solutions, and measurable results. Bali, Indonesia, August 2, 2025 -- The Hidden Costs of Freelance Platforms and 'À-La-Carte' Talent Freelance marketplaces were initially celebrated for their ability to connect businesses with on-demand talent quickly and cost-effectively. However, as the gig economy grew, its drawbacks have become increasingly apparent. In 2024, the global freelance platform market is estimated at US $7.33 billion, growing at an annual rate of 14%. Yet, despite this growth, many business owners are finding that working with freelancers leads to brand inconsistencies, delays, and spiraling costs. A recent study by MarketingProfs revealed that 42% of freelancers acknowledged challenges related to professionalism and long-term partnerships with clients, and 38% pointed out the frequent miscommunication around project goals, which led to costly revisions. Similarly, U.S. small-business owners have reported setbacks when freelance vendors failed to deliver, according to Talker Research. These issues often lead to missed deadlines, product launch delays, and, in some cases, lost revenue. The root cause often lies in a communication disconnect between teams and contractors. When multiple contractors are hired to complete different segments of a project, each one typically focuses only on their assigned task, leaving larger business goals like customer acquisition costs or return on ad spend unaddressed. Why Integrated Agencies Are the Solution In response to these growing frustrations, integrated agencies have emerged as a comprehensive solution. These agencies combine strategy, creative execution, and data analytics under one roof, offering a complete solution rather than piecemeal services. Unlike freelancers, who are typically hired to complete individual tasks, integrated agencies are contracted to deliver specific results, whether that's improving conversion rates, reducing churn, or unlocking new revenue streams. Audrey Lim, Founder and CEO of Red Moon International, explains, 'I've worked with over US $10 million in paid media over the past decade, on projects worth more than US $6.5 billion. To achieve consistent success, we need to create end-to-end operating systems. This allows us to consistently deliver an average ROI of 3-8x, while saving executives 480 hours annually in administrative work. The process is always the same: perfect communication, strategic planning, and ruthless execution. If any of these pillars break down, it's time to bring in an integrator. Red Moon is designed to fill that exact role.' Leveraging AI with Human Strategy The rise of AI tools in design and content creation has revolutionized the industry by dramatically reducing production time. However, this has also led to an increase in low-quality, AI-generated work. Freelancers, eager to complete multiple billable projects, may pass machine-generated drafts onto clients without human oversight, leaving behind unnoticed errors. At Red Moon, we close the credibility gap between AI automation and human expertise. All deliverables—whether AI-assisted or hand-crafted—go through our proprietary three-level quality assurance (QA) process. These stages ensure strategic alignment, technical integrity, and narrative coherence before anything reaches clients or their boards. The first month of collaboration is dedicated to understanding a client's voice and mission. Full-Stack Stewardship: More Than Just Project Management Integrated agencies offer more than just project management; they provide full-stack stewardship. At Red Moon, we don't simply manage projects. We also build, troubleshoot, and optimize the entire operating system behind them. This includes communication rhythms, data pipelines, and performance dashboards. By addressing these foundational aspects, we ensure that all talent is held to enterprise standards and, when necessary, can step in to execute for you. Value-Aligned Incentives and Partnership Many integrated agencies prefer flexible pricing structures that align their success with that of their clients. For high-growth engagements, Red Moon favors blended retainers or profit-share agreements. This ensures that the agency's incentives are directly tied to the client's business outcomes, reinforcing a commitment to achieving long-term success. In an era when speed is prioritized over quality, Red Moon stands apart by delivering on-brand, revenue-generating solutions with speed and discernment. About Red Moon International Based in Bali, Red Moon International is an integrated agency that has successfully served clients in the U.S. market for years. Expanding globally, Red Moon partners with service-based businesses, real estate firms, and mission-driven nonprofits to deliver end-to-end solutions in digital marketing, paid advertising, social media management, creative branding, thought-leadership programs, public relations outreach, and more. Red Moon's holistic approach goes beyond traditional marketing strategies. The company helps clients build systems, optimize communication, and implement data-driven strategies that drive sustainable, measurable results. Their ability to bridge the gap between big-picture strategy and grassroots execution has earned them a reputation for delivering exceptional, long-term outcomes. For more information, case studies, and quotes, visit Media Contact Audrey Ciero Lim CEO, Red Moon International Email: [email protected] Website: Instagram: @_itsredmoon Contact Info: Name: Audrey Ciero Lim Email: Send Email Organization: Red Moon International Website: Release ID: 89166261 In the event of detecting errors, concerns, or irregularities in the content shared in this press release that require attention or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our dedicated team will promptly address your feedback within 8 hours and take necessary actions to resolve any identified issues diligently or guide you through the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is our utmost priority.
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
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3 Penny Stocks With Market Caps Larger Than $10M To Watch
As major U.S. indexes continue their upward trajectory, buoyed by strong corporate earnings and resilient economic data, investors are exploring various avenues for potential growth. Penny stocks, though an older term in the investment lexicon, remain relevant as a category that encompasses smaller or newer companies with lower price points. When these stocks are backed by robust financials and solid fundamentals, they can present unique opportunities for growth that might be overlooked in more traditional investment sectors. Top 10 Penny Stocks In The United States Name Share Price Market Cap Financial Health Rating Waterdrop (WDH) $1.66 $640.14M ★★★★★★ CuriosityStream (CURI) $4.59 $259.69M ★★★★★★ WM Technology (MAPS) $0.9048 $157.25M ★★★★★★ Tuniu (TOUR) $0.9326 $96.34M ★★★★★★ Cardno (COLD.F) $0.1701 $6.64M ★★★★★★ BAB (BABB) $0.8906 $6.51M ★★★★★★ Lifetime Brands (LCUT) $4.44 $103.55M ★★★★★☆ Resources Connection (RGP) $4.98 $169.03M ★★★★★★ TETRA Technologies (TTI) $3.91 $508.34M ★★★★★★ Tandy Leather Factory (TLF) $3.45 $30.22M ★★★★★★ Click here to see the full list of 413 stocks from our US Penny Stocks screener. Here's a peek at a few of the choices from the screener. MediciNova Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: MediciNova, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that develops novel small molecule therapeutics for serious diseases with unmet medical needs in the United States, with a market cap of $65.23 million. 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Vasta Platform Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Vasta Platform Limited offers educational printed and digital solutions to private schools in Brazil's K-12 sector, with a market cap of $330.47 million. Operations: The company generates revenue through its Educational Services segment, specifically in Education & Training Services, amounting to R$1.64 billion. Market Cap: $330.47M Vasta Platform Limited, with a market cap of $330.47 million, operates in Brazil's K-12 educational sector and has recently become profitable, though its earnings are forecast to decline by an average of 55.2% annually over the next three years. Trading at a value below its estimated fair value and compared to peers, Vasta's financial health is supported by satisfactory debt levels and interest coverage. However, recent results show a net loss of R$3.27 million for Q1 2025 against revenue declines from the previous year. Management experience remains unclear while one-off gains have impacted past earnings quality. Unlock comprehensive insights into our analysis of Vasta Platform stock in this financial health report. Gain insights into Vasta Platform's future direction by reviewing our growth report. Hugoton Royalty Trust Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: ★★★★★★ Overview: Hugoton Royalty Trust operates as an express trust in the United States with a market cap of $14.40 million. Operations: The trust's revenue is derived from its Oil & Gas - Exploration & Production segment, totaling $0.01 million. Market Cap: $14.4M Hugoton Royalty Trust, with a market cap of US$14.40 million, operates in the oil and gas sector but remains pre-revenue with earnings for Q1 2025 at just US$2,407. The trust is unprofitable yet has managed to reduce losses over five years by 28.4% annually. Despite its debt-free status and stable shareholder base without recent dilution, the stock's high volatility poses risks for investors. Recent changes include appointing Grant Thornton LLP as the new auditor after dismissing PwC and experiencing delays in SEC filings, reflecting potential operational challenges amidst an already unstable financial position. Jump into the full analysis health report here for a deeper understanding of Hugoton Royalty Trust. Understand Hugoton Royalty Trust's track record by examining our performance history report. Make It Happen Navigate through the entire inventory of 413 US Penny Stocks here. Want To Explore Some Alternatives? The end of cancer? These 25 emerging AI stocks are developing tech that will allow early idenification of life changing disesaes like cancer and Alzheimer's. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include MNOV VSTA and HGTX.U. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@
